ARETHA FRANKLIN(March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018)Recorded “With Pen in Hand” (click photo at left for YouTube audio) in 1974.Bobby has told the story that the song was strongly considered to be released asa single (with double-length songwriter royalties to Bobby) until events in Franklin’spersonal life changed her mind and a different song was chosen for radio play.

BURT REYNOLDS(February 11, 1936 - September 6, 2018)

“THE GOOD OL’ DAYS” - HISTORICAL ANNIVERSARIES

55 YEARS AGOBobby records his first Billboard Top 10 hit, “See the Funny Little Clown.”50 YEARS AGOBobby’s recording of “Honey” becomes 1968’s biggest selling single in the world.45 YEARS AGOBobby records “Summer (The First Time)” and his television show successfully premieres.40 YEARS AGOBobby’s mustache debuts, as Bobby sings “The Good Ol’ Days” on TV.25 YEARS AGOBobby’s children stories appear as Comes-To-Life interactive books.15 YEARS AGOBobby returns to performing live concerts after a decade hiatus.10 YEARS AGOBobby celebrates his first public art show in Orlando, Florida,

Bobby and legendary actor Burt Reynolds were longtime friends who worked together on many projects. Bobby co-produced Burt’s 1973 record album, and did the music for the 1976 film “Gator” and 1990’s television projects “Evening Shade” and “The Man from Left Field.” Bobby has joked that he and Reynolds hit it off immediately since they had so much in common. “Burt was this handsome, ladies’ man from Florida, ...and I was from Florida, too.”

SONDRA LOCKEBorn Sandra LouiseAnderson(May 28,1944 -November 3, 2018)ActressAppeared in1968 promotional video for “Honey” single, considered to be one of the first major music label-sponsored “music videos” ever made

JERRY CHESNUT(May 7, 1931 - December 15, 2018)Wrote “Woman Without Love,”“Take a Little Good Will Home,”and “A Dime at a Time”